What best describes 'evidence-based practice'?

The concept of 'evidence-based practice' is best described as a systematic approach that merges the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. This approach emphasizes the importance of using well-researched information to guide healthcare decisions, ensuring that the care provided is grounded in effective and reliable data.

By integrating high-quality research findings with clinical judgment, practitioners can make more informed decisions that not only improve patient outcomes but also align with individual patient preferences and values. This balance is essential to providing personalized care that is both effective and satisfactory to patients.

The other choices lack this integrative aspect: some focus solely on personal experience, prioritize patient preference in a rigid manner, or rely exclusively on historical data without considering current research insights, which are key components of evidence-based practice.